Neil Lennon subject to death threats after his celebration of Hibernian scoring against Rangers prompts police inquiries

Neil Lennon is back on the familiar territory of death threats, controversy and outrage - faux though much of the latter might be. During his time as a combative midfielder for Celtic and then, when manager of the club, he was subject to two assaults in the streets of Glasgow, another on the side of the pitch at Tynecastle and was the subject of threatening packages and bullets sent through the mail. The latest episode follows Saturday’s volatile clash between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox, which the Easter Road side won 3-2. During his celebrations of Hibs’ goals, Lennon made a pumped arm gesture towards the fans behind his technical area, who were responsible for what is understood to have been sustained invective directed towards him earlier in the proceedings. Lennon’s response – commonly known in Glasgow as the ‘gerrit up ye’ gesture – prompted complaints to Police Scotland, whose spokesperson confirmed receipt of the fans’ grievances and said: “Enquiries are being conducted.” Club 1872 – the Rangers supporter and shareholding group – also issued a statement condemning Lennon for his behaviour which, after the fashion of Jane Austen, they described as “not becoming of any football manager.” The statement also said of Lennon that he was “one who likes to play the victim when things do not go his way” before adding - without evident irony - that his actions occurred “against the backdrop of possibly the worst refereeing performance ever seen at Ibrox”. The Club 1872 statement also reminded “our supporters of their duty to act as ambassadors for our club”, an admonition which did evidently did not penetrate as far down the diplomatic corps as Lennon was subject to death threats on Facebook. Hibs players celebrate during the 3-2 win against Rangers on Saturday Police Scotland said: “We are aware of offensive and threatening comments on social media directed at a named individual.” The Scottish Football Association, meanwhile, will review footage of the game, during which the Rangers midfielder, Ryan Jack, was sent off while five of his colleagues and three Hibs players were cautioned. Lennon’s actions are likely to feature in the scrutiny, although he is not currently expected to prompt any fast track procedure by the SFA compliance officer, Tony McGlennan. During the game, Rangers’ assistant manager, Helder Baptista, complained to a police officer, seemingly about Lennon, who said afterwards: “He should have got back in his box. Funnily enough he didn’t have something to say to me. I don’t know what he said. I assume he was unhappy with something. “There were a few things that went on in their dugout I was unhappy about but I didn’t go running off to the police and tell them about it.” Those whose interest extends to the sociological aspects of the controversy might observe that context is crucial to the perception of gestures. When the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow in 2014, Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall – a member of the Scotland lawn bowls team and a favourite with the home crowd – marked his winning shots in the men’s pairs semi-final against England with an action similar to that of Lennon at Ibrox, in response to a group of spectators who had been heckling him. Marshall, though, attracted no condemnation for his action. Likewise, it might be assumed that Glasgow brings out the provocative side of Lennon’s character – or it might be the other way around – when one considers that his stints with Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra and Nottingham Forest did not generate death threats or cautionary visits from the constabulary. On the other hand, it can also be said that Lennon – and his detractors – have done Pedro Caixinha a favour by diverting attention from the Rangers manager’s failure to plug the gap left by Jack’s dismissal against a Hibs side which had an extra man in midfield prior to the player’s enforced departure. It is, as they say, an ill wind… Pick your free Telegraph Fantasy Football team now and start scoring from the next kick-off >>